Christmas - Jeannie Waters, Writer & Speaker

Pre-Christmas Heart Check

December 15, 2020Jeannie Waters37 Comments

Why, oh why did Dr. Jones schedule an appointment in mid-December? Who has time for that? My heart is fine.

As holiday prep time grew shorter, my to-do list grew longer. My peace meter registered closer to frayed-at-the-seams-frantic than to Christmas card-perfect.

“This appointment is a waste of time,” I said to my husband. “I have so much to do before Christmas. I need to shop and send cards, and I need to decorate the tree.”

My feisty cardiologist had scheduled an echocardiogram, and trust me, no one argues with Dr. Jones. She ordered this test and others because she suspected a blockage or a rhythm issue.

During the test, I watched the screen. Some views showed the four chambers working in a synchronized fashion. Other angles revealed my valves tapping out the rhythm of the blood flow.

After carefully examining the film with its in-depth images, Dr. Jones deemed my heart “fine and dandy” (my un-medical translation). Emptied of angst and complaints, I took a deep breath and exhaled before I walked to the car.

I rested my hands on the steering wheel, leaned my head in between them, and thanked God for a good report. Then I confessed my complaining spirit and my misplaced priorities. I asked God to calm my heart and exchange my Christmas agenda for His.

The Christmas carol on the radio echoed the peace that now filled my heart. The Prince of Peace is also the Great Physician who sees far beyond the scope of medical technology. He sees into the inner me, my heart of hearts, and cleanses it of sin as He draws me close to His heart.

For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7

As we celebrate Advent, perhaps you’ll join me as I ask the following questions about the spiritual health of my heart and pray,

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10

Pre-Christmas Heart-Check Questions

What does God see when He probes the inside of my heart, the real me?
Do I begin each day seeking and praising Immanuel, God with us?
Am I laughing enough and enjoying His presence and my family’s?
Am I sharing God’s blessings with others as He intends?
Am I focused on pleasing God with my Christmas preparation, or am I simply checking off the holiday list? (Sometimes my priorities get out of rhythm, and my mind churns with so much to do. At other times, my heart is filled with wonder that Jesus loved me enough to lie on manger hay as a baby and die on the cross as my Savior.)

In 2018, my Christmas season started with anxiety, as well as tests to check for blockages and irregular rhythms in my heart. This year I’m asking God to conduct a pre-Christmas check of my heart of hearts. I want Him to show me any blockage of sin or priorities that are out of rhythm with His heart.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is nativity-3674785__480.jpeg — JeannieWaters.com

I’m sure, like me, reader friend, you desire to worship and celebrate with a pure heart the One who is called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

I look forward to reading your comments about Christmas.

*Scripture verses are taken from the English Standard Version.

Images by Pixabay

The Loving Hands of Christmas

December 11, 2019Jeannie Waters18 Comments

With rounded shoulders, she stooped low to scoop pecans from the leaf-covered ground of the orchard. My maternal grandmother, poor by the world’s standards, shelled pecans with arthritic, age spot speckled hands. She then placed them in dime-store containers and presented them as Christmas gifts.

Pain-filled hands laboring to give.

My mother created sequined stockings with embroidered names for her grandchildren who raced each year to see them hanging from the mantle. In addition to delighting them with her sewing, Mama’s flour-dusted hands shaped angel biscuits each Christmas morning.

Willing hands serving the family.

My dad’s hands restocked the church food bank pantry for families who needed assistance. Despite my mother’s budget reminders, Daddy slipped Christmas cookies into the grocery cart for the children. He also set up Fraser firs in the living room each year for my mom to decorate with glass balls and crocheted snowflakes.

Caring hands ministering in love.

Have you considered the hands of those who witnessed the first Christmas in Bethlehem? Mary, exhausted from her journey and childbirth, used her hands to wrap her baby in swaddling clothes and place Him in the animals’ feeding trough. Her hands nurtured and comforted the Child King.

Tender hands caring for a newborn.

Joseph must have worked with muscular and scarred hands as he was a carpenter by trade. Perhaps he cleaned the stable of animal filth in preparation for Immanuel, and maybe he tenderly rubbed Mary’s back after the long donkey ride. In the dark of night, he guided his family to safety in Egypt.

Strong hands serving and protecting.

Frightened shepherds with staff-gripping callouses, searched for the Baby the angel described. As they bowed before the infant Messiah, surely their fingernails were mud-caked due to plucking sheep from prickly shrubs and water holes. After their visit, the sheepherders shared Scripture’s fulfillment with those they met and possibly raised worshipful hands as they announced the Savior’s birth.

Dirty hands of poor men praising God.

Later, the magi followed a star and visited Joseph’s home. In contrast to the shepherds, these sojourners’ hands, probably adorned with jewels, presented valuable gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Generous hands of wealthy men worshipping.

What about the tiny hands of the Christ Child? Baby-soft, they were perhaps dimpled when He gripped His mother’s fingers. In adulthood, the hands of Jesus turned water into wine (John 2:1-11), blessed children (Matthew 19:13-15), healed a leper (Luke 5:12-13), and broke bread for the multitudes (Luke 9:16).

Holy hands showing compassion.

In Jerusalem, Jesus endured scourging (John 19:1), and then at Golgotha, nails pierced His hands and affixed them to the cruel cross. Thus, in love, the submitted hands of the Son fulfilled the Father’s mission (Luke 22:42, John 6:38-40). Now He resides at the right hand of God in heaven (Mark 16:19).

Suffering Servant’s hands giving His life.

Jesus teaches, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12 NKJV), and “I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit” (John 15:16 NKJV). How can our hands serve as instruments of God’s love?

As we celebrate the birth of Christ, let’s ponder how God is calling us to serve Him this Christmas and in the coming days. Joy fills our hearts when we use our hands to honor Jesus and serve others.

And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us,
and establish the work of our hands for us;
yes, establish the work of our hands.
Psalm 90:17 NKJV

Your comments:

Please share examples of “loving Christmas hands” you’ve observed or ideas for using our hands to honor God and serve others.

Events about the birth of Jesus are from Luke 2 and Matthew 2.

This post is adapted from my article in Refresh Bible Study Magazine, Dec. 2017.

Christmas Cleaning

December 21, 2018Jeannie Waters14 Comments

Clean and Christmas just go together, don’t they?

We clean so that we can decorate, and then we clean and remove containers after decorating.
We clean before cooking delicious meals and baking, and then we wash the pots and pans until our fingertips turn into “raisins.”
We clean before company comes and then vacuum and straighten the house when they leave.,

So much cleaning! Our homes should be diamond-sparkly this time of year. (Remember the old Mr. Clean commercials?)

Although our homes where people and pets live are rarely, if ever, spotless, we do like tidiness at holiday time. Before we decorate, cook, or entertain, we prefer cleanliness and order as a backdrop for our celebration, and we want our time with family and friends to be the best possible.

What makes Christmas time “the best possible?” An immaculate house with gourmet meals and beautifully wrapped gifts? Nope. Perfection is not an ingredient in the recipe for Christmas joy. In fact, perfectionism mixed with holiday prep can yield frustration, short tempers, and fatigue. (Can I get an Amen?)

I learned this lesson the hard way. After years of worrying about every detail and racing around in panic mode to have our home “ready,” I realized my husband and I began dreading the endless to-do list. We spent too much time on preparation and too little time on celebration. Had the luminaires on the driveway become more important to me than the light of Jesus shining from my heart?

The most important ingredient for Christmas joy is a clean heart focused on Immanuel, God with us. Unforgiveness, self-pity, selfishness, a judgmental attitude, perfectionism, and other sins clutter our hearts and occupy space that was designed for the peace and joy of Jesus during the celebration of His birth. I’m thankful He forgives us.

We still work hard to clean, decorate, and cook, but we’re enjoying the time more and reducing excessive planning in favor of focusing on the meaning of Christmas, family, and friendship.

As we clean and prepare our homes, let’s ask God to create a clean heart in us that we may celebrate His coming and the abundant life He offers to those who receive Him as Savior and Lord. Undesirable circumstances and difficult relationships may not change, but a clean heart promotes joyous celebration of His birth. His presence in a clean heart permeates homes at Christmas.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10 ESV

May the peace and joy of Jesus fill our hearts and homes as we prepare room for Him.

How do you prepare for Christmas?

Echo of the Heart

December 8, 2018Jeannie Waters7 Comments

Yesterday, an echocardiogram revealed important information about my heart. I’m thankful the report was good.

During the procedure, I was amazed to see the inner workings of my heart on the screen. As the tech moved the probe around, some views showed all four chambers working in tandem, and some views showed how valves were operating. This technology enables cardiologists to assess heart health by observing the heart muscle at work and checking the efficiency of its pumping action.

Beyond the view of modern medicine, God sees into our heart of hearts.

. . . For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

–1 Samuel 16:7*

God knows my heart as no other. That thought led me to ask:

What does God see when He probes the inside of my heart—the real me?
Is my Christmas preparation pleasing to Him? (Sometimes my heart churns with “so much to do.” At other times, it’s filled with wonder that God loved me enough to lie on manger hay and later die for me.)
Do my activities honor Immanuel, God with us, or simply fulfill the tasks I believe I must do?
Is my worship fitting for the King of kings?
Do I laugh enough and enjoy His presence and blessings?

Although sin must be confessed, the condition of our hearts should not create despair. Followers of Christ have the hope and assurance that God will continue to teach us and transform our hearts.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

–Philippians 1:6

Another question I considered was, “What view of my heart is reflected to others?”

Whether engaging in conversation with me or glancing from a distance, do other people see the love, joy, peace, and patience of Christ, or do they see selfishness, frantic hurry, anxiety, and impatience? Do the yearnings of His heart shine through my countenance and words?

Father, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

One last question: What were hearts like at the manger?

Joseph must have had a humble heart after his appointment as the earthly father for the long-awaited Messiah. Maybe he was a bit overwhelmed, too, with the responsibility.

Heavenly Father, give me a humble heart as Your servant. When I’m overwhelmed, remind me that You always promise guidance like you offered Joseph.

Mary’s heart was filled with treasures as she pondered the happenings of that holy night in her heart.

Lord, speak to me from Your Word, and help me tuck the treasures you teach me deep in my heart so You may use them to echo Your truth.

The shepherds’ hearts were filled with worship—true worship in an outdoor cathedral illuminated by a star.

Abba Father, as I complete daily tasks this month, give me a heart of wonder and worship.

The busy innkeeper’s heart is unknown to us. Maybe he was indifferent to the traveling couple and the holy Child who occupied his stable. Did he hear the news later and regret missing the opportunity to sit at the feet of the Messiah? If so, did he spread the news to fellow businessmen?

Lord, I don’t want to miss an opportunity to praise and worship You due to seasonal rush. Lead me to take time to reflect and to share the good news.

A Christmas Prayer

Lord Jesus, be at home in my heart this Christmas. Remove the tinsel and wrappings of sin that clutter the space reserved for You. May my heart and countenance echo the joy and peace of the night in Bethlehem when You became Immanuel, God with us. Seal the majesty of the manger in my heart.

Dear reader friend, please tell me how I can pray for you this Christmas, and add thoughts you want to share below.

*Scripture verses are from the English Standard Version.

Holiday Prep: Take a Break First!

November 1, 2018Jeannie Waters19 Comments

At the beginning of each month, I post ideas for meaningful gifts to help us share joy and encouragement with other people. Guess what.

This month, the gift idea is for

Please nestle into a comfy chair and accept this package, beautifully wrapped and bearing a tag with your name on it. Take a deep breath first and lay aside your to-do list for a few minutes. Yes, this present is for you. Ready?

Now pull off the ribbon. Lift the lid and move the tissue paper aside. Is that not the most beautiful gift you’ve seen in ages? What? You don’t see it? The box looks empty?

That’s the beauty of it, my friend. The box is empty by design. When I explain, you’ll love your one-size-fits-all, yet personally-designed, very-much-needed present.

It’s the gift of margins! Yes, margins. My introduction to the word came from my first-grade teacher who taught me to leave nice clean margins on my paper. They create a neat appearance and make the writing more attractive and easier to read. What about margins in our daily calendars?

Margins are bits of unfilled time—with nothing scheduled—for resting, creating, or otherwise enjoying the day. Lately, I’ve read several books, articles, and blog posts about this topic. Maybe the idea of intentionally setting margins is popular because of the fast-paced lives we tend to lead.

It’s tempting to fill the days with countless chores and opportunities and then become frustrated when tasks are left undone or when there’s no time for relaxation.

I’ll confess. I’m a calendar crammer. Even when weeks are full, I slip extra events and chores into tiny pockets of time erroneously thinking I’ll get to all of it. That practice creates stress and frustration I don’t need.

Here’s a better way.

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

–Colossians 3:15 ESV

As followers of Christ, our lives should be overflowing with peace and gratitude, but it’s difficult to appropriate the peace of Jesus when we’re in a frenzy from a jam-packed agenda. In addition to prayer and Bible study, we need times of rest and relaxation.

Two recent conversations led me to rethink the way I plan my time and reminded me of the need for margins as a busy time of year approaches.

My dear friend shared her holiday plan with me. “I’m going to make and freeze a pound cake ahead of time, bake fruitcake cookies, and make nut cookies before family arrives. That’s all I’m going to bake this year. Then, I’ll buy some chocolate goodies and cheese straws. I want to enjoy calm, joyful time with my family instead of being exhausted when they get here. I’m thinking ahead about when to decorate, where everyone will sleep, and which meals I can prepare and freeze the week before.” Wise lady.

Another friend confessed, “I’m dreading the holidays already! Everyone comes to my house and it’s just so much work. I want my family to come, and I’m happy to prepare for them, but I end up exhausted and grouchy.”

Sound familiar? It’s a blessing to serve our family and friends, but it’s also hard work. Thanksgiving opens the door to the Christmas season and the rush is on before we know it. Food, gifts, programs, cards, dinners, company…and the beat goes on.

What can we do to prepare for a joyous, peaceful holiday season? Look into your box again. Pull out those margins and put them into your calendar. It’s refreshing to have time to take a walk, to doodle or thumb through a magazine, to listen to music, to sketch a picture, to read. We need margins in our days, especially prior to the holiday rush. Take one more deep breath. (Surely, we have time for at least two a day, right?)

Like the margins on my first-grade papers, unscheduled time makes our lives neater and more appealing as the joy and peace of Christ fill our hearts and overflow to others. Time with Him is paramount, but adding some margins will help us smile more.

Tag: Christmas